A big shoe to fill your gear closet

I don’t often do company-related posts, because I feel like it’s free advertising … and really, couldn’t they buy an ad and help pay my salary? But there’s some good stuff in this one (donations to charity! free gear!), and it’s super local, so I’m passing it on.

L.L.Bean’s Bootmobile, a large, driveable version of the retailer’s signature boot, is coming to the Capital Region later this week as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The boot will be at LarkFEST in downtown Albany from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. It will also stop at the Colonie store on Wolf Road on Friday.

Experts from L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery School will be on hand to offer tips on ways to get outside. Gear and gift card giveaways are available for the first visitors to the Bootmobile (while supplies last).

Also, if you take a photo of yourself with the Bootmobile and share it through L.L.Bean’s social channels, the company will donate a dollar to the National Park Foundation (up to $1 million).

Finally, you can learn more about L.L. Bean’s Get Out(fitted) Gear Giveaway. For every day of the 100th anniversary year, L.L.Bean is outfitting fans with L.L.Bean gear or Outdoor Discovery School experiences (valued up to $500). If Herb and I weren’t already up to our ears in gear, I would definitely do this. You basically describe to them an outdoors experience you’ve always wanted to do and the gear you need to do it; if your entry is selected, the folks from L.L. Bean will put together a package of gear designed for you.

For more information about L.L.Bean’s 100th Anniversary activities and the Bootmobile visit www.llbean.com.